Holmesburg neighbors don’t want methadone clinic

Though Patricia LePera has spent all 74 years of her life in Holmesburg, the possible opening of a methadone clinic a few blocks from her home could give her a reason to pack up and leave.

"I'd get out of here fast," she said Tuesday during a protest of the Healing Way clinic near its planned location, at Frankford Avenue and Decatur Street. "I just hope it doesn't happen."

LePera was one of more than 100 neighborhood residents who flocked to Frankford Avenue Tuesday to join civic and political leaders in protesting the clinic, the details of which opponents said have been shrouded in secrecy since it received zoning approval in March.

"At no point did they inform anyone that their plan was to have a narcotics-treatment facility," state Rep. Kevin Boyle said. "I can't think of a worse location."

Boyle said he plans to meet with state Secretary of Health Eli Avila in Harrisburg Wednesday to request that he deny or delay the clinic's permit.

"[Members of the community] should be allowed to have their voices heard," he said.

Clinics like Healing Way provide methadone to people recovering from addictions to heroin and other opiates. Methadone is a commonly used drug that acts as a substitute, easing withdrawal symptoms.

Most of the protesters, who wielded signs and slowed traffic, expressed the same concerns: that area children would be exposed to drug use and that crime would rise.

"It's going to leave a lasting impression on these children," said Milt Martelack, 41, a Mayfair Civic Association board member who was instrumental in organizing and leading the demonstration. "Imagine them seeing someone overdose here, then the kids can't sleep for two weeks."

Within a few blocks of Healing Way's planned location are three day-care centers, an elementary school and several churches.

"I'd have to practically hold my kids' hands" if the clinic opened, said LePera's nephew, Bill Burger, 39, whose sons are 14 and 3. "I don't want that, not for my boys."

Unlike his aunt, Burger said clinic or no clinic, he has no plans to leave the neighborhood.

"I guess if they do open, I'll be sitting out here to let them know they're not welcome," he said.

The Mayfair Civic Association will also hold a community meeting about the clinic at 6 p.m. next Tuesday at Lincoln High School. Martelack encouraged opponents of the plan to spread the word and attend that as well.

"We're not gonna tolerate the existence of this establishment," he said as the crowd thinned. "No community is an appropriate place for a methadone clinic."